Happy December! The holidays are almost here, but there is still time to whip up some of these fun napkins. Not only did I need napkins for table, but I love any opportunity to sit down at the Horizon Memory Craft 9400, on loan from Janome. :) These napkins are 16" square and have a self-binding finish. For each napkin you will need a 14" square of Fabric A (center) and a 20" square of Fabric B (frame and back): On the wrong side of Fabric A, mark 1/4" from each edge on all four corners.
On the right side of Fabric B, mark 2" from each edge on one side of the square. My fabric is dark, so I used pins to mark. (I lost a few pictures, so I've made illustrations for some instructions) Next, place Fabric A, right sides together, with Fabric B. Fabric A will fit in between the marks.
At the machine, select the 1/4" seam. The Janome 9400 has 350+ stitches & alphabets built in, including a PERFECT 1/4" seam setting in the "Quilt" menu. NOTE: For the next step you will use the reverse button to back stitch at the beginning and end of each seam. Be careful not to reverse the stitch beyond the marked dot.
Sew the seam beginning and ending at the marked dot. I like to tip the presser foot up and manually drop the needle directly onto the dot. Remove pins as you go and don't forget to back stitch at both ends. Mark the opposite side of the unit, 2" in from each side, and pull Fabric A to the edge and pin. Sew this side from dot to dot, back stitching at each end.
Repeat the seams between the dots on remaining sides: Mark 2" from each side and pull the corner of Fabric A to the dot and pin. You will need to scrunch the extra Fabric B out of the way and align the corner of Fabric A with the 2" mark.
NOTE: Extra Fabric B at corners out of the way, be careful not to stitch it into the seam. On the final side, leave a 3" opening in the center of the seam to turn the unit right sides out. I usually mark with a different color pin so I don't forget to stop sewing. This is what the napkin looks like now with all four sides sewn and a 3" opening in one side.
Fold unit diagonally and align raw edges of two sides. I put in a few pins to hold it in place. Next, place a ruler with a line on the fold of the fabric. Draw a line along the ruler edge between the end of the seam and the fold. Change the stitch on your machine to Quilt 1.
Sew on the line, stopping at the end of the previously sewn seam. Back stitch at both ends. Trim 1/4" from seam.
Repeat on remaining corners. Unit now looks like this: Press all seams toward Fabric B. Turn unit right sides out and poke out corners. Press well. Top stitch Fabric B, close to the edge. This will secure the opening and finish the napkin.
Here is a flat shot of the finished napkin:
To make the covered button napkin rings you need a small square of fabric, a button cover kit and a hair band.
Use the template provided and follow the directions on the package to cover a button. Put one end of the hair band through the loop on the back of the button and pull the other end through it.
DECORATIVE STITCHING! For the next napkins I made I used a decorative stitch and discovered a fantastic feature on the Janome 9400!
I chose Decorative Stitch #48: This stitch was very easy to sew by keeping the needle centered on the seam between Fabrics A & B. This is the first time I have used the Auto-Lock Button on the Janome 9400.
When you get close to the corner you can push this button and the locking stitch function will stop stitching when the decorative stitch is complete. Then, with needle still down, lift the presser foot and pivot the napkin to begin stitching down the other side. This made all of the corners on my napkin come out perfectly without any weird half-stitches in the corners. Yay!